| Minor adjustments to your everyday routine can | | | | - Wash bedding in hot water (130 degrees |
| yield enormous results when it comes to | | | | Fahrenheit) to kill dust mites and remove allergens. |
| preventing asthma attacks. How you ask. Let's | | | | Alternately, you can place bedding in an airtight |
| look at just one kind of asthma. Extrinsic, or | | | | container for 48 hours. |
| allergic, asthma is instigated by environmental | | | | - Place stuffed toys in the freezer for 24 hours |
| triggers. Most childhood asthma falls in the | | | | or in an airtight container for 48 hours to kill dust |
| extrinsic category. It is more frequent in boys | | | | mites. |
| than girls. Asthma is the most common childhood | | | | - Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth in cold |
| illness, accounting for 10 million lost school days | | | | weather. |
| annually. Asthma affects 5 million children in the | | | | - Monitor the pollen count in spring, summer and |
| U.S. | | | | fall; avoid open fields when pollen counts are high. |
| Common culprits are: | | | | - Always keep your medication with you in case |
| -air conditioning | | | | of an attack. |
| -air pollution, including atmospheric ozone | | | | Using an air filter can also help prevent asthma |
| -animal saliva, urine and dander | | | | attacks. |
| -bacteria | | | | Following are some different options: |
| -chemicals (particularly hexachlorophene, formalin, | | | | - Use an HEPA air filter. They feature a minimum |
| ethylene diamine) | | | | particle removal efficiency of 99.97% for all |
| -cockroaches | | | | particles 0.3 microns in diameter and larger. This |
| -cold air | | | | size covers most pollen, mold spores, animal hair |
| -colds and upper respiratory tract infections | | | | and dander, dust mites, bacteria, smoke particles |
| -drugs (especially aspirin, cimetidine, antibiotics, | | | | and dust. |
| beta blockers) | | | | - Use an air purifier. They are classified according |
| -dust mites and their droppings | | | | to the technology they utilize to remove |
| -exertion (especially if strenuous and in cold air) | | | | different-sized particles from the air. Certain |
| -food additives or preservatives (especially | | | | models use a chemical process, such as |
| tartrazine or sulfur dioxide) | | | | ozonization, to purify the air. |
| -fungal spores | | | | - Install a large room unit air purifier. These air |
| - fumes (e.g., paint) | | | | purifiers utilize strong filters or collecting plates; |
| As you can see, many of these causes are found | | | | some large units use electrostatic precipitation. |
| in the home. So how can we do a better job | | | | These purifiers are highly effective at removing |
| fighting asthma in our indoor environments? | | | | pollutants, particularly smoke and dirt, from large |
| Here are some tips: | | | | areas. They are more effective as single room |
| - Dust frequently. | | | | units than as fixed central air filters. |
| - Vacuum frequently; use a cylinder vacuum | | | | - Install air filters. The efficiency of different |
| instead of an upright model. Using a HEPA, or high | | | | models ismeasured by the size of particles they |
| efficiency particulate air, vacuum is optimum. | | | | can remove from the air. They are classified in |
| These vacuums are equipped with high-spec | | | | two categories: central filtration, or induct, |
| pre-filter and filter systems; they are sealed, | | | | systems and portable units with fan attachments. |
| allergen-free and designed to remove and trap | | | | Central filtration systems are installed in heating, |
| allergens such as bacteria and mold-filled dust that | | | | ventilation and air conditioning systems. |
| normal vacuums can't. | | | | Asthmatics should choose a HEPA filter that can |
| - Clean carpeting and drapes regularly. Carpet is a | | | | trap very small and very large particles. |
| huge hideout for asthma allergens, harboring dust | | | | - Use a tabletop air purifier. These models are |
| mites and pet dander--the two most common | | | | equipped with small panels of dry, loosely packed, |
| triggers of childhood asthma. | | | | low-density fiber filters and a high-velocity fan. |
| - Replace carpeting with non-fibrous flooring, such | | | | Although these models are fairly inexpensive, be |
| as tile or hardwood, particularly in the bedroom. | | | | sure that the specifications match your |
| - Replace feather pillows and down comforters | | | | requirements to remove very small particles from |
| with those containing synthetic fibers; use a plastic | | | | the air that can trigger asthma attacks. |
| mattress cover. | | | | |